HOPE Community

Dear Santa Daddy

You can't vote if you don't register!

‼️Florida‼️ The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming midterms is TOMORROW! 🗳️

With so much at stake this year across the state, we want to make sure you’re prepared to make your voice heard. Don't wait and don't forget, register now! If you're already registered to vote, make sure to check your voter registration to ensure your information is up to date. See you at the polls ✅

Daddy Nick is teaching So You Decided To Become a Handler, Now What?

Daddy Nick the Gender Fluid Ginger Handler of the Midwest. He was the inaugural North Star Handler 2019-2022, and the inaugural Midwest Handler 2019-2023. He has worked on the boards of Midwest Pet and Handler Contest and is currently affiliated with Wisconsin Leather Pride, as the title holder Liaison. Over the course of his growth within the pet community he has a passion for promoting inclusion and creating safe spaces so that everyone can experience the pet and handler community.

He helped find a safe place for the WATCH Moshes (Women and Trans Critters and Handlers) in Minneapolis, he’s designed two booklets to showcase the non cis male members of our community, one Booklet for non cis gay male pets and handlers, and the other for non cis gay male bootblacks. He is also working to bring additional visibility to Female-Identified, ENBY, or Trans Critters and Handlers with social media postings entitled Let’s Make F.E.T.C.H Happen.
One thing that Daddy Nick wants you to know is that regardless of how you identify, what kinks you are into, or what scenes you are a part of, is that you matter and You Are Welcome Here.

Class Description - So You Decided to Become a Handler. Now what?
Just like there is no right way to be a pet/critter, there's not right way to be a Handler/Trainer. This class we will discuss what it means to be a handler within the community. While there is no set way to be a handler this class will help you choose your own path to being a handler, and find out what works and does not work for your own personal handling style. We will go over different ways to handle pets, responsibilities of being a handler, and how not to spread yourself too thin.

This year there were no contestants, and we are pleased to appoint Master Leather Redux and slave Raea as the 2026 Midwest Master slave titleholders. We are grateful that they have accepted this appointment and look forward to their year of service to the Midwest community. Please join us in congratulating your 2026 Midwest Master/slave titleholders, Master Leather Redux and slave Raea.

And here we go, boys and girls, it has begun

Tropical Depression 2 forms in the Gulf | 98ROCK

If you ever get the chance to listen to his stories...😍

Some people become leaders because of a title. Others become leaders because they show up, share knowledge, mentor others, and help build the community around them. Daddy Rod is one of those leaders.

A proud New Yorker, Leather community leader, educator, mentor, and longtime advocate, Daddy Rod brings decades of experience, humor, warmth, and wisdom wherever he goes.

As co-founder of the ONYX Mid-Atlantic Chapter, where he served as President and later as Pledge Master, Daddy Rod has dedicated himself to strengthening Leather community, supporting mentorship, and creating opportunities for people to learn, connect, and grow.

Known for his engaging educational programs—including his popular spanking classes and Beyond the Red Ribbon, an HIV/STI Prevention workshop developed specifically for the Leather and kink communities—Daddy Rod has a gift for making important conversations accessible, meaningful, and memorable.

Daddy Rod’s commitment to service and leadership has been recognized throughout the community. He is honored to have served as Leatherman of Color 2011 and American Leatherman 2017. He is also a proud alumnus of the MTTA 2008 Masters’ Training, bringing that experience into his continued work around education, mentorship, and authority exchange.

Over the years, Daddy Rod has moderated and presented for numerous Leather and kink programs and events, served as a judge for many contests, and shared his voice with communities across the country. He is proud to have received the Pantheon of Leather Award for Northeast Regional in 2014 and Man of the Year in 2018.

Daddy Rod also co-founded and co-facilitates the monthly podcast Listen to Daddy with his good friend and fellow Daddy, Rob Kreisinger Denk (Mr. Iowa Leather 2015). In 2024, Rod was honored to serve as the Keynote Speaker for the Leather Solidarity Collective UPRISE! Conference.

But beyond the titles and awards, what makes Daddy Rod special is his ability to create connection. Whether through a classroom, a conversation, or a moment of mentorship, Rod reminds us that community is built through sharing, learning, and showing up for one another.

We are thrilled to welcome Daddy Rod to The M/s Gathering 2027!

Come ready for conversation, connection, laughter, and learning with one of M/s and Leather’s most respected community voices.

Oof

You feel old now don’t you?

And absolutely don't watch Caligula as your very first p**n 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤣🤣🤣🤣